Normal Pulse Rate for Humans

The pulse can be defined as the frequency at which the heart beats. In medical terms, pulse is an arterial palpation of heartbeat. Pulse rate, in human beings is a vital sign of indication of a person's health. Other vital signs include body temperature, respiration rate and blood pressure. Pulse can be felt in all the regions where the artery can be pressed against the bone. The regions where pulse can be easily felt are the neck (carotid artery), wrist (radial artery), back of the knee (popliteal artery), inside of the elbow (brachial artery) and near the ankle joint (posterior tibial artery). Apical pulse rate is the pulse rate that is calculated directly by measuring the heartbeats.

Factors Determining Normal Pulse Rate

Normal pulse rate for humans is influenced by several factors, such as:
⇨Age
⇨Sex
⇨Fitness Level
⇨Lifestyle
⇨Weight
Besides, certain medical disorders also bring about variations in the pulse rate, either temporary or long term. This is the reason the pulse rate is used as a diagnostic aid for medical disorders.

Normal Pulse Rate for Humans

Pulse rate does not remain constant throughout the day even in a healthy individual. It deviates according to the activities of an individual. Normal pulse rate for healthy adults, measured while resting, is about 60 to100 beats per minute (BPM). This pulse rate may drop to 40 BPM while the person is sleeping. Although, healthy pulse rate in adult humans is about 60 to 100 BPM, some well conditioned athletes may have a pulse rate below 60. Pulse rate may also shoot up to 150 to 200 BPM, while performing strenuous exercises.

The pulse rate is higher for infants and young children. Normal pulse rate for an infant in resting condition is about 110 BPM. This is almost equal to an adult's pulse rate while exercising or performing strenuous activities. Pulse rate also differs according to gender. Normal pulse rate for women above 13 years of age tends to be more than the normal pulse rate for men of the same age. The following table shows the normal pulse rate at resting as per age.

Age	Pulse Rate in BPM
Newborns	100 - 160
Children (0 - 10 yrs)	70 - 120
Older children and adults	60 - 100
Athletes	Less than 60

Variations from Normal Pulse Rate

Certain medical conditions may cause the pulse rate to accelerate or slowdown. The following two conditions indicate abnormalities with the functioning of heart.

Bradycardia (Heart Slowness)
Bradycardia is a condition when the heartbeat falls below 60 BPM. It may be a normal condition for athletes and is asymptomatic unless there is a major drop in the pulse rate. A pulse rate below 50 BPM, in resting phase can still be normal for some individuals, particularly if there are no symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations etc., associated with it.

Tachycardia (Accelerated Heart Rate)
Tachycardia is a condition when the heart tends to pump faster than normal. Rapid pumping results in poor circulation and insufficient blood supply to the parts of body. Rapid heart rate varies as per the age of an individual. However, a pulse rate above 120 BPM in adults, at resting state, is worthy of medical intervention. The increased pumping rate accelerates the demand for more oxygen supply. Tachycardia often results in several chronic heart diseases.

Physicians can recommend an appropriate exercise regimen by checking the pulse rate. However, it would be unwise to predict the medical condition of an individual by examining the pulse rate alone. Hence, pulse rate should only be used as a basic diagnostic aid, before going for the advanced ones. Leading an active and healthy lifestyle can help maintain healthy pulse rates in humans.